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Subject Topic: Newbie using leisure battery. Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 1:08pm
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Might sound like a daft question but as a newbie of 4 weeks, what should I expect to be able to run from my leisure battery when fully charged in my 2016 Bessacarr 454?. I have a full gas bottle and a 3 way fridge. Just having a day at the beach with friends and wondering what will and will not work when off ehu and with full gas and charged battery. Do I need engine running for anything specific? Thanks😊


PersonCapt Lightning
03/9/2019 at 1:49pm
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Hi Hughes1965, welcome to the forum.

OK, The make and model of van is not really important. It comes down to, what is the capacity and condition of the leisure battery(s), and what you want to use.

Off grid you would run the fridge on gas so little drain on battery. Similarly, the cooker will use gas. At night, you can work out the average current the lights will use and the pump will run occasionally. Now it comes down to things like a 60" "smart" TV, Mega hi-fi system, charging two tablets and 5 phones etc...

Only joking, but it all comes down to what you use. Generally you could get 2, 3 or more days off grid, and more if you have a solar panel.

The engine will power the fridge and charge the leisure battery when it is running.



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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


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PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 2:32pm
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Thanks Captain. Was really just thinking lights, maybe a small 12v tv for a couple of hours. Sounds like it’ll do just what I need. Thanks for the reply👍


PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 2:39pm
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Thinking again though; is there anything I’d need to do to change the feed to the circuits from an ehu to leisure battery use or does it recognise the difference and switch automatically? Also, I assume that the leisure battery will operate without the engine being on. Sorry for the question but I’m still on my motorhome L plates!


PersonPlumbo
03/9/2019 at 3:40pm
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EHU are the normal electrical sockets and lights in your van just like you have at home. Leisure battery supplies the 12 volt sockets and lights. If you start your engine the habitation 12 switches itself off. The engine will then only supply the 12 volt to the fridge and charge up the leisure battery. This is the normal scenario when you are driving.
The EHU and the 12 volt systems are separate so no circuits to change.

You will soon get used to all of the ins and outs of motor homing.
Enjoy your new toy 👍


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PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 3:51pm
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Perfectly explained! Not heard it put this simply before. It all makes sense now. Thanks again
Regards😊


PersonCapt Lightning
03/9/2019 at 7:28pm
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The only thing I would add is that if you don't have them already, swap your interior lights for LED ones. They only use about 20% energy of halogen lights.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


Personpaul+kate s-o-t
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 8:34pm
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Do you have solar panel. How many batteries do you have.....

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April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
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PersonBob61
03/9/2019 at 8:44pm
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I don't know if it helps but years ago I had a caravan with no EHU. I had a leisure battery which I charged up at home before every trip. The leisure battery powered the 12 volt lighting, the gas fridge ignition, the gas fire ignition, and the water pump.

I was careful with the lighting and only put the lights on at whichever end of the caravan I happened to be in - lol - although I needn't have been that careful because on arrival back home after a weekend away I discovered hardly any power had been used from the battery at all.

I had an old fashioned black and white portable TV and ran that off a car jump start power pack which had a 12 volt output. That seemed to last well for the hour or so that I watched TV in the evenings and of course saved draining the leisure battery.


PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 9:39pm
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I have a 12v tv, led internal lights and a solar panel on the roof so hopefully I’m set up ok. Had a look tonight and switched the power from the electric hook up config to just electric and everything worked with no power connected and engine off. Thanks for all of the responses and advice. They've helped me to understand how the systems work.


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PersonHughes1965
via mobile 03/9/2019 at 9:40pm
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Have one solar panel, one leisure battery and the main cab battery.


Personpaul+kate s-o-t
via mobile 04/9/2019 at 8:31am
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You should be ok to run
12v lights water pump.
If watching tv 12v try and watch at night or early ish morning. Then the solar has time to put charge back into the battery
We done 4 days off grid with similar setup.
Just remember no 3 pin domestic sockets will work. So take a stove top kettle.

-------------
April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
May Peak District Duke of York
May Holland Delfse Hout
June Cotton Arms Nantwich
july/aug Cornwall Pentewan Sands
And quite a few local weekenders


Personpepe63
04/9/2019 at 8:41am
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We used to manage fine for up to a week off hook-up(at festivals)with our previous MHs.
..and that was with just their single OE battery, and no solar.
We didn't watch TVs/stream movies on laptop/ use an inverter to run a microwave/hair straighteners etc etc..

So- lights, water pump, and some camera & phone battery charging..




Personiggycamper
04/9/2019 at 10:30am
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Only thing to add to all the good advice above is that it is recommended that the auxilary/leisure battery should not normally be allowed to drop below 12.2 volts (this is 50% charged) This will ensure maximum life of the battery. This can be monitored on the display on most vans - check when not on EHU. (If a multimeter is available check at the battery terminals to see if monitor display is accurate.)

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The older I get the better I used to be.



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